Fresno County coronavirus count keeps climbing, with 1-in-10 chance of hospitalization

As more businesses open, protests continue and some people ease if not outright ignore social distancing measures, the coronavirus count grows in Fresno County.

The county’s Department of Health reported another 42 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, plus five more hospitalizations due to the coronavirus.

That brings Fresno County’s total to 2,122 cases since the Department of Health reported the first positive test result March 7.

There have been 226 people admitted to the hospital at some point, translating to a hospitalization rate of 10.4% among those who tested positive.

That chance of being hospitalized should one catch the coronavirus is likely significantly lower, given the unknown number of those who contracted COVID-19, did not develop serious symptoms, were never tested and eventually recovered.

Among those who have tested positive, Fresno County reported 616 patients have recovered, including six more Saturday.

The death total, meanwhile, remained at 43, second behind Tulare County in the six-county central San Joaquin Valley region.

Fresno County’s figures are based off 26,215 test results that have been processed and received, the Department of Health stated.

Around the region

The Kings County Department of Health reported seven additional cases, bringing its total in the general community to 612.

Of them, 248 cases remain active.

In addition, there are 880 cases of COVID-19 in Kings County state correctional facilities in Avenal and Corcoran.

Madera County announced eight new cases, bringing its total to 163. The health department said the eight new cases were four men and four women. Two are in their 20s, three in their 30s and three in their 40s.

Mariposa, Merced and Tulare counties did not post updates as of Saturday night.

Tulare County, which has stopped providing updates on weekends and holidays, has Valley-leading totals of 2,116 total positive cases, 1,370 patients recovered and 92 deaths.

Testing in Kings

The Kings County Department of Public Health announced free COVID-19 testing starts Monday for anyone including the uninsured and undocemented,

The county says appointments are recommended and can be scheduled by calling 559-584-1401. The testing schedule is posted at www.kingscovidinfo.com.

This story was originally published June 6, 2020 at 8:31 PM.